Costa Rica N.G.O. Media & Journalism Internship

Nestling between its tropical Caribbean and Pacific coasts, Costa Rica is one of the most breath-taking countries in the world. Travel to this tropical paradise and take part in an exciting teaching project that will fully integrate you into the local community and leave you forever in love with the people, landscapes, beaches, rainforests, volcanoes and wildlife that this magical destination has to offer.

Your journalism placement will give you the opportunity to work as a field journalist, integrating yourself with day-to-day activities and reporting or documenting the work and social activities of volunteers at the location.

You may undertake this placement from a variety of perspectives, depending on your skills and experience. These include:

Article Production (written and online journalism)

Photography

Videography

Blogging or Vlogging

You will gain experience of reporting and content production in a remote location, and this placement is a perfect entry into the world of travel journalism.

Acceptance for this placement is dependent on submission of an up-to-date CV/resume detailing relevant experience and/or qualifications.

WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?

Online Journalism

Report on the activities of volunteers and staff on the project. Think outside the box to offer a unique and informative outlook on this fascinating project using your writing skills. You will produce a number of written articles each week and liaise with volunteers and staff to create content such as interviews and activity logs.

Photography

Use your photography skills to showcase this amazing project to the world. Create regular photo galleries and work with the volunteers and staff to document their activities on camp and in the local community.

Videography

Film and produce videos documenting the work and social life on your project. Liaise with volunteers and staff to create video interviews and showcase the most interesting aspects of life on the project.

Blogging/Vlogging

If blogging or Vlogging is your thing, you will be tasked with creating regular updates on work and life on the project, helping connect people to the project worldwide.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

Depending on your skills, you will be given specific targets and suggestions for content production, and will liaise with volunteers and field staff as well as journalism and marketing staff at our HQ to create amazing content. This content will be used to showcase the great work being done on the projects, as well as your skill and commitment as a journalist.

You will be given support from field and HQ staff but will also be encouraged to use your imagination and ingenuity to suggest new and interesting ways to document your time as a field journalist.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE?

If you arrive on a Monday before 12:00pm, you will be greeted at Puerto Jimenez airport or bus station by a Frontier staff member and escorted by local bus to the project camp. If arriving after 12:00pm on a Monday or at any time on any other day, a pick-up can be arranged for an additional $40.

WHERE WILL I BE STAYING?

Life on camp is a unique experience! You will be staying in simple, shared, mixed-sex eco-cabins amidst the jungles near to Carate. This is a jungle research camp, so you may sometimes find yourself sleeping in a tent or in a hammock – a mosquito net is an absolute must! We have tried to keep the camp in harmony with its pristine surroundings, so conditions are simple, but environmentally friendly and comfortable.

The camp is situated about 5 minutes walk from Playa Carate, a beach which stretches for over 20 miles all the way into Corcovado National Park. There are cool, refreshing showers and environmentally friendly, composting toilets on camp too. You’ll be feeling one with the jungle before you know it!

Check out our camp tour video!

Check out our video on Frontier Gap Year TV from Costa Rica, showing you volunteer life on the Osa Peninsula.

WHAT WILL I BE EATING?

We feel it is very important to support the local economy, so most of our supplies are sourced locally. This means we do not have access to everyone’s preferred foods and much of what we eat is seasonal and fresh. Costa Rican food is delicious, with a focus on rice, beans and good quality fruit and vegetables.

Cooking and cleaning are carried out communally on a rotational basis, so everybody will be responsibility for meal preparation. You will have the opportunity to learn how to cook the national staple food, gallo pinto, consisting of fried rice and black beans. Another dish that is simple to prepare with local ingredients and is often eaten on camp is light and crispy tortillas stuffed with refried beans and vegetables.

There are no refrigeration facilities for meat, fish and dairy, so the team takes the environmentally friendly option of vegetarianism during their time on project. If this sounds worrying to you, not to worry, as volunteers regularly make delicious comfort foods such as pizza, falafel-style burgers, curries with homemade chapattis and ginger and cinnamon cakes to name but a few. Get creative! There is also powdered milk to satisfy you avid tea-drinkers.

Much of the fresh water in the streams surrounding the camp and on the peninsula are safe to drink and it’s important to remember to keep hydrated. Just be sure to check with staff first.

Costa Rica is also world famous for its coffee and it represents the country’s biggest export, so coffee lovers will have plenty of opportunities to get their hands on some. Luxuries like chocolate and packet soup are available in the town nearby, but it is worth bringing some of your favourite treats out with you as well as any herbs or spices. It is recommended that you buy snacks when in town (cereal bars, biscuits etc) for mid-morning sugar dips or to give you energy on long treks.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Costa Rica provides everything you could ever desire for an action packed and eye opening gap year or eco break. You may wish to explore some of the activities and unforgettable sights that are on offer here whether it is in your spare time, or even in a few extra days spent in this spectacular country at the beginning or end of the project. There are so many possibilities to explore – here are just a few suggestions! Try white water rafting, river kayaking, or even ocean kayaking – all activities that Costa Rica is famous for whether you are an expert or a compete novice.

If you have a head for heights see the landscape stretch out beneath you from above with a canopy tree top tour, or even an aerial tram! Other adventure activities that are on offer include biking, hiking, snorkelling and even bungee jumping! For something more sedate, there are butterfly and insect farms – fascinating for those with an interest in the natural world. The Costa Rica camp is also close to the border with Panama so you could always add another country onto your list by heading to this fascinating country too.

Alternatively you may wish to visit the Frontier house or local hostel in Puerto Jimenez ($7.50 per day, food not included). Costa Rica really does have something for everyone – you will never be short of ways to enjoy your spare time!
* Please note that you will need to cover your own costs for extra activities.

Kayaking

Learn more about one of the most biologically intense places on earth as you explore solitary beaches, beautiful rivers, mountains, waterfalls, farms and amazing diversity of wildlife on a guided kayak tour. You will have the unique opportunity to explore the mangroves from the water, and then paddle towards the sea where you may encounter dolphins, sea turtles, fish and ocean birds. You can kayak individually, in a group or with a guide who will teach you more about the incredible mangrove and coastal environment of Costa Rica.
A guided day trip costs 45GBP / 60USD and includes kit hire inc. buoyancy aid, dry bags, kayak and paddle. Kayaks are collected from the beach near Puerto Jiminez and the cost of the bus to the beach is approximately 10GBP / 15USD return. You can sign up for this experience prior to your deployment, or in country.

Wildlife Sanctuary

Visit this remote wildlife sanctuary which is providing wildlife rescue and rehabilitation for orphaned, injured and displaced animals indigenous to south Costa Rica. The sanctuary promotes conservation through education and community involvement and work promote the maintenance of natural biodiversity. The sanctuary run a public education programme and you have the opportunity to visit the organisation for a day to see the animals, meet and chat with staff and walk around 700 acres of local forest land.
Entry to the wildlife sanctuary costs 25USD / 15GBP, and transport to the sanctuary is via boat only. The boat journey must be organised directly with the wildlife sanctuary and can cost up to 90USD / 70GBP for daily boat hire. You can sign up for this experience prior to your deployment, or in country.

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

To apply for this placement, click on "Apply Now" below. Fill in the short application form and one of our advisers will then call you back to answer any questions and make sure this is the perfect placement for you. Applying doesn't cost a penny and you won't pay anything until you're completely happy and you're ready to reserve your place.